Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-20
DEATH IN THE CAN.
xoaroLx,s TERRIBLE RECORD OF
EERosBNE.crL VICTIMS.
Real Estate Booming Railroad Meeting
Fires-Cotton Receipts-Psr-
sonal Notes.
Correspondence Of the RIcnmond Dispatch.

Icorrcspondenco Of the Richmond Dispatch J
NORFOLK, February 10, 1887.
During the last eight or nine years
there have been no less than sixty-five
deaths in this city which directly re-
suited from kerosene accidents, caused
by kindling fires with that dangerous
fluid.
Real estate is booming on the su-
burbs. Twenty-nine acres beyond the
northern limits sold this week for
$50, 900.
The large mud-scow sunk in the
channel by the steamship Seneca near
Craney island is giving trouble. The
schooner Hennie l.. James, from this
port to Baltimore, ran into the sunken
scow night before last, and was so dam
aged that she had to return to the city
for repairs.
Stirring speeches in favor of the At
lantic and Danville railroad we're made
in Portsmouth last night by Major w.
t. Sutherlin and Mr.. James p. Harri-
son. of Danville, and General Thomas
Ewing, of Ohio, and a large throng
gathered to hear the matter discussed.
The speeches were effective and made a
favorable impression.
The receipts of cotton at this port for
the week amount to 10, ,092 bales. This
is better showing than at any south
ern seaport for the close of the season.
Fifteen female prisoners confined in
the Portsmouth Jail, awaiting trial be-
fore the Court OF Hastings, were dis
charged on their own recognizance yes
terday by Judge Murdaugh because OF
the crowded condition OF the Jail and
the fear Of contagion. There are FIVE
eight-by-ten cells, and ten and twelve
prisoners are crowded into each cell.
A fire at the United States signal
Office, on Main street, called ont the fire
department. this morning and created
some excitement in the business cen
ire of the city. The roof of the build
ing was damaged. Last night fire at
the mattress-factory of George L. West
man, on Main street tnear Church, caused
about $500 damage to the stock and
property. Fires have been very fire.
quent in Norfolk this winter, and the
duties of the fire department have been
unusually onerous. With one excep-
ton the losses have been comparatively
small. The cotton belt of the city has
been exceptionally free from fire losses
this winter.
Mr.. John T. Roby, well-known
citizen of Portsmouth, was found dead
in his bed yesterday afternoon. He
had been feeble for long time.
Captain j. H. Higbie, of the marine
corps, who was recently court-mar-
tailed and suspended for eighteen
months, was on yesterday detached
from Gosport navy-yard.
Post Office Inspector Barclay is in
Portsmouth, examining the city for the
purpose of reporting to the Department
whether the community is entitled to
free delivery.
Acting Commodore George Brown,
of the navy-yard, left to-day with his
family for indianapolis to spend a week
with relatives.
John G. Mcguire, a well-known
young man of this city, died in. Colum-
bia, Tenn, on Thursday.
The health officer has just reported
forty-seven deaths in Norfolk last month.
During the month of January 3S, $50
tons of Pocahontas coal were delivered
to vessels at the Lambert's Point piers.
Chief-Engineer Stephen d. HILBERT,
of the navy-yard, returned yesterday
from a months leave of absence at the
North He is shortly to be succeeded
by Chief-Engineer Thom Williamson.
Two prominent railroad-men banged
each other vigorously in Portsmouth
last night. Both have their eyes in
mourning to-day.
W. s. Copeland, editor of the Dan
Vile Re0isfer. is i'm the CITY. G.